Stunning in the late afternoon sunshine, these Bath Soft Cheese Chilli Tarts are incredibly tempting to look at.

Bath Soft Cheese is organic and suitable for vegetarians. It is made by the Bath Soft Cheese Company in Kelston near Bath. It really does taste like an English version of Brie. Soft and buttery, it matures to a ripe, full bodied cheese, that stands up well to the chilli in this recipe.

Bath Soft Cheese Chilli Tarts incredibly simple to make and bake.

As you cut through the light, crisp filo pastry layers the melted cheese oozes out of the tart, accompanied by the spicy pickle underneath. All that is required to accompany this tart is a few (homegrown if possible) salad leaves and a glass of something crisp and cool.

Place 6 loose bottom tart tins on a baking tray. I used 9cm width, between 8-10cm (3.5-4″) will be fine.

Brush each tart tin lightly with melted butter using a pastry brush.

Have a clean damp tea towel to hand – the filo pastry can dry out very quickly, so it’s best to cover the spare pastry sheets.

Place one filo pastry sheet on to a board or pastry mat. Brush lightly with melted butter.

Using a sharp knife cut the filo pastry sheet into equal quarters and then cut each quarter in half, from top to bottom. You will have 8 squares/rectangles. Don’t worry they don’t have to be perfect!

Start by laying 1 square of filo pastry in the tart tin, gently pressing it so that it sticks to the base and the sides.

Add another square of filo pastry, laying it slight offset from the first piece. The idea is to build up layers that form a solid tart shell with lots of edges/corners on the side, which will become golden and crisp on baking.

See how the 5 layers of filo pastry build up to create a solid tart shell.

Continue building the tart case until you have used 5 separate layers of filo pastry – bottom right in the picture above.

I actually built 2 tart cases at a time, I wouldn’t recommend building more as each layer will dry out as you prepare the next sheet and is then likely to crack and fall apart once baked.

When all 6 tart cases have been built, spoon 2 generous teaspoons of the Chilli Pickle into the base of each one.

Cut the block of Bath Soft Cheese into 6 equal-ish portions – they will weigh approximately 40 grammes.

Place a square of cheese on top of Chilli Pickle in each tart case.

Bath Soft Cheese Chilli Tarts are so easy to make

Sprinkle the top of each tart with a little freshly ground black pepper and some freshly snipped chives – reserve half of the chives for garnish once baked.

Bath Soft Cheese Chilli Tarts ready for the oven.

Place the Bath Soft Cheese Chilli Tarts in the top of the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. The tarts are cooked when the filo pastry is crisp and golden and the cheese has melted to fill each tart.

Once baked remove the baking tray from the oven and allow the tarts to cool for 10-15 minutes in their tins.

Bath Soft Cheese Chilli Tarts freshly baked.

The Bath Soft Cheese Chilli Tarts can then be carefully removed from their tins and are best served warm. Don’t worry if a couple of crispy pieces of filo pastry break off as you handle them. These delightful tarts are built of 5 layers of filo pastry and are actually quite strong.

I like to serve each tart, warm, on a bed of deeply coloured, fresh lettuce leaves with an extra sprinkle of fresh chives.

Bath Soft Cheese Chilli Tarts a delicious light lunch.

Such a simple and yet flavourful appetiser or light lunch. The tarts also taste delicious cold. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days and vamp up your packed lunch.

I really would recommend the Chillililli from Hawkshead Relish. Not only does it have great flavour in this tart, it also adds a surprise texture, hidden beneath the melted cheese.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Bath Soft Cheese Chilli Tarts then you may also like these:

As you can see, I am loving creating recipes with cheese. You may also like my Cheddar Tomato Basil Quiche, which is exceptionally delicious if you substitute the Cheddar for Sparkenhoe Red Leicester cheese!

Coming up with new ideas, flavour pairings and recipes, really gives me a thrill. With all that my body goes through see here, it is wonderful that I can still express my creativity, through cooking and baking and in turn, share my recipes with you.

Whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun. Enjoy your feast and remember, when you are able, to invite others round to share with you. It really is true that food tastes better when it is shared!

Sammie xx

Pong Cheese provided me with the cheese to create this recipe. All opinions, views, content and photographs are my own. I was not paid to write this post, please see my Disclosure Policy.